As a player he was the first Aston Villa captain to lift a trophy, being instrumental in establishing the club as force in the game.

His trophy haul of six League Championships and six FA Cups established Aston Villa as the most successful club in England.

One day in 1876, whilst taking a stroll in Aston Park, the 21-year-old Ramsay came across a Villa players' practice match and was asked to make up the numbers.

[6] Ramsay later described the newly formed club's approach to the game as 'a dash at the man and a big kick at the ball'.

He was also responsible for the recruitment of Villa legend Archie Hunter, who later recounted the story in his 1890 memoir Triumphs of the Football Field.

I hesitated for some time, but at last my friend told me that a "brother Scot," Mr. George Ramsay, was the Villa captain and that decided me.

"[9] Villa were becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Midlands, which culminated in the club winning their first trophy, The Birmingham Senior Cup, in 1880, with Ramsay as captain.

William McGregor later recalled: "I can see now the little dapper, well-built laddie, with a black-and-red striped cap, red-and-blue hooped jersey, and the same coloured stockings, getting hold of the ball on the extreme wing, well within his own territory, and going off like streaked lightning, wiggling, waggling past opponents one after another and finally landing the ball between the sticks.

"Ramsay retired from playing at the age of just 27 due to an injury sustained during an early experimental floodlit match against Nottingham Forest at Villa's Perry Bar ground in 1882.

He handed the captaincy to fellow Scotsman, Archie Hunter, but remained involved with the club serving on the committee.

The following advert was placed in the Birmingham Daily Gazette newspaper in June 1886: 'Wanted: manager for Aston Villa Football Club, who will be required to devote his whole time under direction of the committee.

Ramsay was responsible for the team, including controlling recruitment and transfers, supported by a specialist fitness trainer, who from 1893 until 1915 was Joe Grierson.

The team was selected by the committee each week, which consisted of such figures as William McGregor, Fred Rinder and, following their retirement, former club captains John Devey and Howard Spencer.

Villa's style of play under Ramsay consisted of high speed dribbling, short passes and powerful shooting.

The team was reinforced by a strong contingent of talented Scottish players such as Archie Hunter, James Cowan and John Campbell.

Archie Hunter, John Devey, Howard Spencer, Joe Bache, Frank Moss and Billy Walker, all captained the club under Ramsay and were important influences both on and off the pitch.